Class notes

DURHAM – A free college planning session held for parents and students will be today at 6:30 p.m at the Comfort Suites RDU on Page Road.

The event will cover topics including the key factors in applying for colleges, determining what makes a school a good fit for a student, how to increase chances of financial aid and the main differences between the SAT and ACT as well as figuring out which test to take and how test scores can be used to qualify for scholarships.

The program will end with a Q&A session. Seating is limited.

For more information, contact info@a2zcollegeplanning.com, info@aplushigherscores.com or 919-824-3912.

Jackson on Phillips Academy Honor Roll

CHAPEL HILL – Ian L. Jackson has been named to the honor roll at Phillips Academy for the spring 2013 term.

To be named to the honor roll students must have maintained at least a grade-point average of at least 5 on a 6-point scale.

Also known as Andover, Phillips Academy is a coeducational, non-profit independent high school with 1,100 students.

Unruhe a Knowles Science Fellow

DURHAM – Katherine Unruhe, daughter of Steven Unruhe and Jennifer McGovern, has been chosen by the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation as a member of its 2013 cohort of Teaching Fellows.

Unruhe took part in a screening process and was part of the 15 percent of the applicant pool that was chosen.

She graduated from Durham School of the Arts in 2004 and earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and Spanish from Vassar College followed by a master’s degree in teaching from Duke University. She teaches physical science and Earth science at Durham’s Northern High School.

The five year Teaching Fellowship offers support and guidance as participants embark on the credentialing process and their teaching careers.

Dennison a National Child Awareness ambassador

CHAPEL HILL – Abby Dennison will serve as a National Child Awareness month Youth Ambassador, leading an initiative to help first-generation students transition to college.

Dennison is one of 51 Youth Ambassadors selected nationwide pool who will receive funding and training to lead an initiative through the Youth Service American and Festival of Children Foundation.

Dennison travels to Washington, D.C., this month for training and meetings with state officials, before returning to North Carolina where she will launch a campaign to prepare low-income or first-generation students for higher education. The campaign will be based out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where Dennison is a student, and undergraduates will serve as mentors in area high schools.

Ambassadors will receive a national-level platform for their cause, a $1,000 grant to develop a service project in their states, ongoing training, project and technical assistance support and networking opportunities with other ambassadors.

Bethesda Christian seeks vendors for fundraiser

DURHAM – Bethesda Christian Academy is seeking vendors for its Shop Til You Drop Extravaganza as it works to fulfill accreditation requirements and upgrades to the school.

On Nov. 8 and 9, Bethesda Christian Academy will host the free event in the Bethesda Ruritan Gym Nov. 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Nov.9 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Shop Til You Drop Extravaganza has more than 30 vendors already signed up, and will have live entertainment, raffles and food trucks. Anyone interested in being a vendor is asked to download a vendor application at shop.bcacrusaders.org or to contact Kerry Bryant at shop@bcacrusaders.org.

The deadline for vendor applications in Sept. 15.

Bethesda Christian Academy is a non-profit Christian school that began in 1995 for students in grades K-8.